Ukraine’s “Carthage” operation targets alleged corruption links between officials and organized crime
Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Service said the “Carthage” operation exposed a criminal organization that allegedly paid senior law-enforcement and prosecution officials to protect illegal businesses. Five people were notified of suspicion, including senior Security Service and National Police officials. Serhii Duka was detained after a confrontation during a search of his home, where he allegedly threatened detectives with a pistol and destroyed electronic devices.
Key points
- NABU and SAP searched senior SBU and National Police officials on November 4 as part of Operation “Carthage.”
- Five participants in the alleged criminal organization were notified of suspicion under the procedural supervision of SAP prosecutors.
- The organization allegedly facilitated fraudulent call centers, drug trafficking, counterfeit cigarette production and currency counterfeiting.
- SBU General Serhii Duka was detained on November 4 in Roslychy, Kyiv region.
- During Duka’s home search, he allegedly threatened NABU detectives with a pistol and destroyed two phones and one hard disk.
- On November 5, Volodymyr Tsenov was placed under house arrest with a possible Hryvnia 15 million bail, while Vitalii Rybalko received house arrest without a specified bail option.
- SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad dismissed two senior officials who became suspects in the investigation.
Why it matters
The operation alleges corruption links among organized crime and senior officials of the Security Service of Ukraine, the National Police and the Office of the Prosecutor General. The alleged schemes enabled several illicit businesses, while the confrontation at Duka’s home raises questions about cooperation and information-sharing between Ukrainian security and anti-corruption agencies. Detentions, suspensions, dismissals and the prosecutor general’s departure show the institutional consequences of the investigation.
What happened
NABU and SAP said their “Carthage” operation exposed a criminal organization that systematically provided improper benefits to senior law-enforcement officials in exchange for allowing fraudulent call centers and other illegal businesses to operate without interference. Investigators allege that the network facilitated drug trafficking, counterfeit cigarette production and currency counterfeiting, and was also involved in attacks, abductions and assaults.
On November 4, detectives searched the homes of senior SBU and National Police officials and detained SBU General Serhii Duka in Roslychy. According to the investigators, Duka threatened detectives with a pistol, and unknown people aimed a laser-sighted weapon at a NABU operative and threatened to fire. Two armed SBU fighters were reportedly seen in the windows, while three minibuses carrying members of the SBU Alpha special unit arrived at the scene. Duka allegedly destroyed two phones and a hard disk. The shooting was avoided after prolonged negotiations and the arrival of his lawyers.
Investigators also recorded the transfer of four cryptocurrency wallets worth approximately $3 million to Duka. According to their version, the money was intended to help the organization use the Office of the Prosecutor General to lift a freeze on Khimprom’s funds. On November 5, NABU and SAP announced suspicions against five participants, while the Court of Appeal of Ukraine placed Tsenov and Rybalko under house arrest. SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad dismissed two senior SBU officials who became suspects, and the National Police suspended officers subject to procedural actions by NABU.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian reporting emphasizes the institutional consequences within the SBU, National Police and Office of the Prosecutor General, including detentions, suspensions, dismissals and the departure of Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko. The case is presented as evidence of alleged systemic links between senior officials, law-enforcement bodies and organized crime. Commentary also suggests that the investigation may reveal additional suspects and may uncover SBU involvement in concealing crimes.
Where reporting differs
Most reports say that Khimprom leader Yegor Burkin discussed bribing former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko and that no direct contact occurred. One initial headline described Klymenko as the target, but later reporting clarified that suspects did not communicate with him.
Background
Operation “Carthage” was initially announced on September 4, when NABU and SAP said investigators had exposed a criminal organization that systematically collected bribes from fraudulent call centers and laundered the proceeds. Prosecutors reportedly notified Serhii Kropyva, a deputy head of the Office of the Prosecutor General’s Department of International Legal Cooperation, of suspicion. Separately, investigators said a group led by Kropyva was created in mid-2025 and included serving prosecutors and unofficial associates. After the detention of Office of the Prosecutor General employees, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko resigned; President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed him on September 15.